Possibly the best rums in the world

Twenty-two accolades were awarded at the inaugural Golden Rum Barrel Awards, which went to rum brands from countries across the world, including Panama, Venezuela, Australia and Mexico, illustrating the diversity of rum and its ever-growing popularity.
 
Not only did the awards revealed huge variety within the rum industry but also showcased some of the smaller brands such as Atlantico from the Dominican Republic, which pipped Diageo to the post in receiving the award for Best Solera Rum.
 
A further three awards were given to Rum Ambassadors and Influencers from across the world with Chesterfield Brown from Mount Gay picking up The Global Rum Ambassador Award; Stephanie Holt from El Dorado who was awarded the UK Rum Ambassador of the Year Award; and Lorena Vasquez from Ron Zacapa picking up Rum Influencer of the Year.  
 
Nominees were chosen by an academy of rum experts and journalists from around the world, with each rum aficionado nominating their favourite rum within each chosen category. The top five rums from each category were nominated and judged by an international tasting panel of rum experts on 14th and 15th October and the winners awarded a Golden Rum Barrel Award on Saturday, 16th October.

And the 2010 Golden Rum Barrel winners are. . .

Best White Rum
Molasses, Cane syrup or combination of both based White rum aged or unaged.
Banks 5 island rum (Caribbean/Indonesia)

Best Super Premium White Rum
Globally retailed at over £25 or $30 US
Oronoco (Venezuela/Brazil)

Best Flavoured or Spiced Rum
Rum with flavours added by way of infusion, blending, brewing or maceration.
Elements 8 Spiced (St. Lucia) (pictured)

Best Gold Rum up to 6 years old
Oldest rum is 6 years old
El Dorado 5 (Guyana)

Best Premium Gold Rum up to 12
Rums declared to a blend, an average or less than 12 years old.
Dos Maderas PX (5 + 5) (Spain)

Best Premium Gold Rum (over 12)
Rums declared to a blend older than 12 years old.
El Dorado 12 (Guyana)

Best Super Premium Gold Rum minimum aged 15yrs
Youngest rum in the blend is declared to be 15 years old
Mount Gay 1703 (Barbados)

Best Solera Rum
Rums using the solera system of aging.
Atlantico (Dominican republic)

Best Dark Rum, Black rum or Navy Styled Rum
Colour predominantly comes from the addition of Caramel
Pussers 15 years (British Virgin Island)

Best Agricole Aged up to 4 years
Rums made from fresh cane juice
Clement VSOP (Martinique)

Best Agricole over 4 years
Rums made from fresh cane juice
Plantation Guadeloupe (France)

Best Cachaça
Aged or Unaged from Brazil
Beija flor Reserva Especial

Best North American Rum
Must be finished & bottled in the respective continent
Los Valientes 15 (Mexico)

Best South American Rum
Must be finished & bottled in the respective continent
Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva (Venezuela)

Best European Rum
Must be finished & bottled in the respective continent
Black Tot Black Tot Last Consignment (UK)

Best Asian Rum
Must be finished & bottled in the respective continents
Old Monk (India)

Best Australasian Rum
Must be finished & bottled in the respective continents
Holey Dollar Rum Cask Strength (Australia)

Best Caribbean Rum
Must be finished & bottled in the respective area
Mount Gay 1703 (Barbados)

Best Central American Rum
Must be finished & bottled in the respective continent
Ron Abuelo 12 (Panama)

Best New Rum Brand
First tasted between September 2009 to August 2010
Zafra Master Reserve 21 (Panama)

Best Rum Package
Package design for a new bottle seen between Sept 2009 & August 2010
St Nicholas Abbey (Barbados)

1 November 2010 - Felicity Murray